A Race You Can’t Win

The fatal crash involving a “bandit” cabdriver and an MTA Blue Line train ought to bring two issues to the forefront. The first is that the MTA and city transportation officials must do even more to protect pedestrians and motorists from the perils of street-level rail lines. The second is that the threat posed by unlicensed and unregistered cabdrivers has reached unacceptable levels.

The cabby, 42-year-old Romaldo Gonzalez, had two convictions for drunk driving, was driving with a suspended license and had no permit to operate a taxi in Compton. He and all five of his passengers were killed when he allegedly went around a crossing gate and tried to outrun a southbound Blue Line train at Greenleaf Boulevard and Willowbrook Avenue in Compton.

Authorized cabdrivers in Los Angeles possess a city seal and are required to display their permits, which carry a photo of the driver and an expiration date. Customers have a right to demand to see a permit if one is not displayed.

Los Angeles city and county officials and Compton now say they are going to crack down on bandit cabs. Los Angeles city transportation investigators will gain the authority to impound cars and make arrests starting in January.

The MTA, city transportation officials and the county Sheriff’s Department have already done much to educate the public about avoiding trains at grade crossings. Still, their efforts must include more, such as speeding up the testing of gates that block all lanes of traffic rather than leave an opening through which a vehicle can pass. Authorities should also give more consideration to lowering the crossing gates earlier when trains approach.

That said, it’s the drivers and the pedestrians who must bear responsibility when it comes to racing trains to crossings. Ultimately, government can do only so much to foster safety and common sense.